SB Nation Seattle: All Posts by Wendell Maxey

Timma Likely Drafted And Stashed In Europe If Selected In The Second Round

2013-06-17T11:40:35Z

A number of prospects have already utilized their early withdraw clause entering today's deadline to remove their names from the 2013 NBA Draft. Other players --mostly of the European or international hoops variety -- will try their luck at sticking it out, even if that means hanging on for a second round selection come the NBA Draft on June 27.

Janis Timma is one of those players in it for the long haul and projected as a second rounder.

Timma is a 6-foot-8, 220-pound small forward from Latvia who played this season for BK Ventspils (averaged 12.5 points and 5.4 rebounds per game, while shooting 62.4% from the field 42.3% from 3-pt in 25 games) and impressed scouts, head coaches, GM's and front office executives two weeks ago at the adidas Eurocamp.

But if the 20-year old who helped Latvia capture Gold at the 8-18 European Championship in 2010 and also has EuroChallenge experience thought this season and the Eurocamp made for a hectic schedule, Timma has seen nothing yet.

Over the next nine days, he is set to workout for Portland, Houston, Atlanta, Memphis, Golden State, Phoenix, Denver and the Los Angeles Clippers.

Will the workouts be a crapshoot, leaving Timma to be selected in a draft-and-stash situation?

That's likely how the process will play out.

It's easy to fall in love with Timma's versatility. He possesses the ability to be effective both beyond the arc and getting to the basket. A nice touch and toughness to finish in the paint leaves NBA executives game planning to make him a project, knowing the development will pay off. Timma's schedule is only going to get crazier too. After the seven workouts and regardless what happens at the draft, he will train with the Latvian National Team in July and compete at the EuroBasket 2013 in Slovenia from September 4-22.

Until then, it's jumping from NBA city to NBA city for Janis Timma and hoping to hear his name called in the second round.

After Two Years With CSKA Moscow, Snyder Will Join Mike Budenholzer Staff In Atlanta

2013-06-10T20:01:10Z

He was rumored to be on his way to the Denver Nuggets to replace George Karl.

He could have positioned himself a candidate with the Brooklyn Nets through connections to Mikhail Prokhorov.

But instead Quin Snyder -- who spent the last two seasons with Russian powerhouse CSKA Moscow as Ettore Messina's top assistant coach -- is on his way back to the NBA as an assistant coach with the Atlanta Hawks according to one person close to Snyder's hiring.

Snyder will be a part of new head coach Mike Budenholzer's staff with the Hawks, as the official announcement should come before the end of this week.

"It is sad to say goodbye to Quin. We are losing a friend, great coach, great person who was able to establish close relationship with many of people here in CSKA. I am happy that he will continue his career on the highest level," Messina was quoted in a press release.

"It will be not easy to substitute him. Still we will try to make the best possible choice."

During his two seasons with CSKA, Snyder helped Moscow advance to the Turkish Airlines Euroleague Final Four before falling to eventual champs Olympiacos in 2012 and CSKA returned to the Final Four this season, facing the same fate in the first round versus Olympiacos. While CSKA failed to gain titles on that stage, the club repeated as VTB League champs in 2011-12 and 2012-13.

While Snyder's connection to Denver (Snyder coached Josh Kroenke at Missouri) and in-roads to Brooklyn (Prokhorov formerly owned CSKA Moscow) were both reported and speculated, Snyder's relationships in Atlanta truly helped pave his way back to the NBA. Not only is Snyder's wife Amy from the area, but Hawks' GM Danny Ferry and Snyder were teammates at Duke at reached the Final Four in 1989, before losing to Georgetown.

The reunion with Ferry and chance to build upon a proven San Antonio Spurs model alongside Budenholzer is part of Snyder's continuous journey around the world and another coaching stint in the NBA.

Some, if not all, who follow college basketball, the D-League and the NBA are well aware of Snyder's journey across the game coming up as an assistant coach with Duke before rising as a coaching prodigy to Missouri in 1999. What you probably don't know is Snyder almost left it all behind and walked away from the game.

Snyder took over for a coaching legend in Norm Stewart and led the program to the NCAA Tournament his first four years at Mizzou, including an Elite Eight run in 2002. That was before the schnitzel hit the fan: 17 NCAA allegations plagued much of Snyder's time with the Tigers, eventually leading to his firing in 2006.

What followed next was nearly torn from a page out of The Bourne Identity.

Snyder went off the grid.

Way off.

He lived with now Philadelphia 76ers head coach Doug Collins (who would welcome Snyder to his staff in 2010), took off for Costa Rica and lived in North Carolina. Away from the game, success and the fame were gone and replaced by doubts and some heartache as Snyder also went through a divorce. Yet for someone who was married to the game, it wasn't just as simple as walking away for Snyder, although he contemplated leaving the game behind.

Redemption returned thanks to the D-League and the Austin Toros. After three successful seasons in the D-League, Snyder took his coaching ability to the NBA thanks to former housemate Doug Collins in Philly, but little did Snyder know then during the 2010-11 season with the Sixers where his life would lead next. In July 2011, Los Angeles Lakers head coach Mike Brown appointed Snyder to his coaching staff and it seemed that Snyder would settle in for the long haul and chance to even claim an NBA title -- maybe multiple titles.

Even Synder knows nothing is forever.

North Carolina came calling, and Snyder used the early offseason to interview with the Charlotte Bobcats for their head coaching vacancy. It was his second head coaching interview over the last two summers, with Snyder speaking with GM David Kahn in June 2011 about the head coaching job with the Minnesota Timberwolves -- a report Snyder denied when he eventually accepted the assistant gig with the Lakers. The ironic part of the story here is, Kahn was the one who originally hired Snyder to coach the Toros in 2007 back when they were a Timberwolves affiliate, and prior to the San Antonio Spurs acquiring the franchise that same year. Despite being a finalist in Charlotte -- and a candidate with the Orlando Magic -- Snyder was passed over and all signs pointed to him returning to the sidelines with Brown in Los Angeles. Then a new sign popped up on Snyder's coaching map.

Next stop Moscow.

At 45 years old and experiencing his first chance to coach in Europe, Snyder couldn't be in a more perfect position even if he is 6083 miles away from sunny Los Angeles. When it comes to powerhouse clubs outside of the NBA, CSKA is as tough as they come having claimed the 2006 and 2008 Euroleague titles. Lets not even mention losing a heartbreaking finals last season to Olympiacos.

He connects with players. He is wise beyond his years in knowing and coaching the game. And his sideline leadership would easily be an asset to any head coach. So when people snark at Snyder's decision to leave one assistant coaching job for another one all the way around the world, pause and remember exactly what the man has endured to get to this point.

Messina made Snyder an offer he couldn't refuse as his lead assistant after the two men came to know each other during their time with the Lakers when Messina served as a consultant in Los Angeles. For Snyder, the best advice Messina probably gave him was to join Messina for a run at a Euroleague title with CSKA. And while they came up short on two occasions, the opportunity and time in Moscow eventually bought Snyder a little time to see how the NBA landscape could drastically change in the matter of 24 months.

For Quin Snyder, a patient process and promising endeavor in Atlanta could actually mean a step closer to a head coaching job of his own in the NBA.

Will Saric Remain In The NBA Draft Or Withdraw With An Eye On 2014?

2013-06-01T11:54:01Z

It can be frustrating trying to figure out Dario Saric.

There really isn't any other way to put it. And in no way is this a knock about his God-given ability between the lines, but instead has everything to do with his maturation away from the game.

Here is a 19-year old from Croatia with potential that is through the roof and a young resume that any international player would love to have (he was recently named to Croatia's U-19 team). At 6'10 and 225 pounds, Saric's high-energy and well-rounded versatility as a small forward/point guard makes him a focus for a number of front offices around the NBA in this year's NBA Draft (Saric is a projected first-round pick) on June 27. But there has to be more to a player's DNA than simply his on-court talent and make-up. Analyzing the full package - character and overall maturity also comes into play, particularly in regards to Saric.

There was a DUI incident back in December.

His license was suspended.

FIBA had to intervene during his dramatic publicized spit with KK Zagreb (who was awarded 550,000 Euros).

He didn't play for months and finally signed a four-year contract with Cibona Zagreb, who now owns a 1.2 million Euro buyout.

Then in a matter of 10 days in mid-April, Saric went from saying he will not declare for the 2013 NBA Draft to officially declaring for the 2013 NBA Draft.

The latest scuttlebutt from Croatia: Saric was fined 1000 Euros for violating team rules and breaking curfew earlier this month.

Kids will be kids, right?

At this juncture in his young professional career that mantra could hurt Saric in the end and some feel already has.

In Game 1 of the Croatian Finals, Saric put the focus back on his on-court ability as he finished with 9 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists in Cibona's 84:68 win over Zadar. While the final box score numbers didn't scream "First Round", NBA teams taking notice have come to know Saric's game on both ends of the floor since he came onto the scene as an oversized point guard with Croatia's junior national teams (he was named MVP the U-16 and U-18 championships).

Saric's skill to handle the ball and find players in half court sets and in the open floor is certainly aspects that gives him glowing marks on scouting reports and headlines describing him as the next Magic Johnson (no pressure). Saric also owns a soft shooting touch both off of the dribble and with his jump-shot. Another plus: the kid can finish at the rim. Saric can hit the glass too, both on defense and offensively thanks to his long reach. On the defensive end, there will be an adjustment from Europe to the NBA game, but this is the case not just when it comes to Saric but the majority of young players who make the transition from overseas to the Association. Adding strength and developing his body will eventually help as he adapts to a stronger more physical NBA game.

Saric has to get to the NBA game first and even then there are some questions.

While reports have surfaced that the Dallas Mavericks are interested in adding Saric to the mix, it's still unclear of Saric will be able to attend individual workouts with teams as he's in the thick of the finals in Croatia and then heads straight into training with the U-19 team. Mavs GM Donnie Nelson was able to attend one of Saric's games at the end of the regular season so Dallas is certainly familiar with what Saric can do.

But will he remain in the draft long enough for the Mavs to make Saric theirs?

He has said before that unless he is a lottery pick, he would not remain in the draft (June 17 is the early withdraw deadline), which makes you wonder what kind of promises Saric is really receiving as the NBA Draft draws near.

If Saric opts to wait and decides to re-enter his name in the 2014 NBA Draft instead, he's looking at facing the potential of a stronger draft class. He's also risking another year overseas and the tough spot of placing himself in compromising positions.

Then again, this could be a chance for Dario Saric to grow up both on and off of the floor.

Gobert Receives Mixed Reviews On His Way To Being Projected First Rounder

2013-05-23T14:00:05Z

#10

#11.

#16.

#19.

#22.

#24.

Depending on which 2013 NBA mock draft report you frequent these days, these are the slots where 7-foot-2 French center Rudy Gobert's name lands scattered around the first round as the dream of moving from France's Pro-A to the NBA becomes more of a reality as the draft draws near.

While Germany's Dennis Schroeder has taken the draft world by storm since really breaking on the American scene at the Nike Hoop Summit last month (those familiar with Schroeder's game in Germany's BEKO BBL have been privy to his overall development), Gobert is the other international player who left those at the NBA combine in Chicago in awe thanks to his Yao-like stature (still crazy to think that Ming has 4 inches on this kid).

Back in December when examining Gobert weighing his options to continue developing overseas or make the official jump to the NBA, I wondered if this was indeed the right time for the 20-year old to spread his wings -- all 7-foot-9 wingspan - and make the break from Pro-A Cholet.

"I want to go the NBA next season," Gobert said at that time. "I don't want to play another season in Europe. I know that it is going to be tough and that I need to add muscle. I don't care about the team, if I will be picked in the NBA draft in high position, I will have minutes on the court."

Flashforward six months later and the pieces of the puzzle are starting to fall into place, or at least some of them...

The numbers: In 27 games (23 minutes per game) with Cholet, Gobert averaged 8.4, 5.4 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game, while shooting 73.6% from the field in the Pro-A. Cholet also played 3 EuroCup games, with the youngster putting up 5 points, 2 rebounds and 1 block per game, along with shooting 85.7% from the field.

The ability: Size, size and more size. Gobert is a game changer on both ends of the floor by either blocking or altering shots. His rebounding numbers won't jump off the page at you (2.1 offensive, 3.3 defensive) and is an area (of many) to improve upon. Gobert gets beat by quicker big men, but also uses his length to compensate from playing behind. Offensively, he's a finisher -- lobs, cleaning up loose balls, going hard to the rim on pick and rolls.

The improvement: Strength. At 238 pounds, expect whichever team selects Gobert to get him on a weight-training program immediately.

"The strength and the height," Gobert said when asked about the biggest difference between playing in the French league and playing in the NBA. "NBA five men are way taller. In France, [centers are about] 6'9, maybe 7-foot. In the NBA, they're a lot stronger, but also have a lot more height."

The knock: SI.com's Chris Mannix (in listing his "Winners and losers") was on hand at the combine and came away with this assessment of Gobert:

"Two executives from teams picking in the back half of the first round said, "I wouldn't touch him," though it's almost certain someone, intrigued by his defensive potential and length, will take a flyer on him in the first round.

The Man: All-Rudy-Gobert-Everything.

#10.

#11.

#16.

#19.

#22.

#24.

Where will Rudy Gobert land in the NBA?

Willing College Coach Saw Something In Kyle Hines Many Can Appreciate With Olympiacos

2013-05-14T14:00:06Z

Somewhere in Iowa City, Iowa on Sunday afternoon Fran McCaffery had to be unknowingly overcome with emotion that extended beyond typical Mother's Day festivities and all the way to London for the Turkish Airlines Euroleague Final Four.

Long before he roamed the sidelines as head basketball coach at the University of Iowa, McCaffery spent six seasons at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, leading the Spartans to a March Madness trip in 2001. Yet three years later the coach's scouting and recruiting acumen helped produce a more memorable feat if you ask anyone familiar with what Kyle Hines has accomplished in his professional career and for freshly crowned repeat Final Four champions, Olympiacos Piraeus.

Trailing by 17 points at the end of the first quarter, Olympiacos' chances against Real Madrid seemed slim to none.

But the Reds did what they do best: scrapped, fought, played aggressive and when all 6-foot-6, 245 pounds of Hines chased down and blocked Nikola Mirotic's break-away lay-up in the third quarter, the sold out O2 arena in London had to know this would be Olympiacos' night. A quarter later, they were back-to-back Euroleague champs with Hines finishing with 12 points (4-4 FG), 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 blocks.

That now makes two Euroleague titles, Germany's BEKO BBL MVP and All-Star Game MVP (2011) honors and an Italian League Second Division MVP (2009) award in Hines' six-year pro career. Not bad for an undersized center who remains the shortest center in the Euroleague but plays bigger and better than the majority of ideal big men overseas.

Nine years ago though, the only number Hines was thinking about was one -- as in one school, one coach who made an investment in making Hines a priority during a time when a number of schools wouldn't even throw a scholarship the New Jersey natives' way.

Sad but true.

But at UNC Greensboro, McCaffery saw something special in Hines and everyone who has watched Hines play from Italy, to Germany to Greece actually owes McCaffery a debt of gratitude for not seeing Hines' height and body type and trying to convert him into a guard or swingman as does become the case many times at the college, D-League, NBA and international level.

If so, we'd all be robbed like Mirotic was.

Robbed at the opportunity to be in awe of Hines' overall ability, tenacity on the floor and unforgettable story.

At UNC Greensboro, Hines earned Freshman of the Year honors in the Southern Conference then proceeded to take the record book and write his name all over it, just so all of those other programs realized what they passed up. By the time he graduated in 2008, Hines left as the school's all-time leading scorer, rebounder and is one of only six players in NCAA history to record 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds and 300 blocks in a career, joining Alonzo Mourning, David Robinson, Tim Duncan, Pervis Ellison and Derrick Coleman on the esteemed list. Meanwhile, McCaffery had the privilege of coaching three consecutive rookies of the year at that point in his coaching career, with Hines winning the award in the Southern Conference in McCaffery's final year in UNC Greensboro.

"I also owe a lot of my freshman success to coach Fran McCaffery. I feel that he gave me a lot of confidence by putting me in positions on the floor where he knew I could succeed," Hines said last year in an interview with CollegeHoops.net.

"Initially it was not easy because Coach McCaffery's move (leaving for Iowa) was very unexpected... Coach Mac was one of the main reasons that I chose to attend UNCG."

McCaffery became a Hawkeye after coaching Hines for two seasons.

Hines would go undrafted and all the way to Italy's second division with Prima Veroli for two seasons.

That's where Brendan Rooney, Brose Baskets Bamberg's Scouting Director, spotted the undersized center and knew he would fit the defensive toughness system head coach Chris Fleming implemented in Germany's BBL and in 2011, Hines helped Bamberg capture the BBL title before Olympiacos came calling.

The rest is history -- a rich past the last two seasons that has yielded two Euroleague titles which have become instant classics against CSKA Moscow last season and Real Madrid this season. Hines is as important to that success as Georgios Printezis hitting a baseline floater over Andrei Kirilenko or Vassilis Spanoulis going for 22 points and hitting 5 3-pointers in Sunday's 100-88 win over Real Madrid. At center court, Hines hoisted the Euroleague championship as ticker tape fell from the ceiling and the rest of the Olympiacos' organization celebrated with joy and excitement and what they just accomplished.

You have to wonder if Kyle Hines was thinking about his long road to London and how Fran McCaffery's helping hand helped pave the way there.

Carr Has Rich History In Italy, But What Will Future Hold As A Pro In Europe?

2013-05-08T10:00:05Z

By now you are probably familiar with the headline history featuring Aquille Carr, the high school phenom set to make the jump from high school to play professionally in Europe.

The press has surrounded the 5-foot-6 guard over the last three years and ever since the Baltimore native was busy dropping 20 points, 10 assists and six steals on teams as a freshman at Patterson High. Carr averaged 32 points, six assists and five rebounds to lead Patterson (25-2) to Baltimore City and Class 4A North region titles and a trip to the state title game in 2010.

The following year, Carr was named the Baltimore Sun All-Metro boys basketball Player of the Year, the same year ESPN chose him as the 2011 High School Basketball Player of the Year.

Dubbed "Crimestopper" for his ability pack gyms around the city with highlight reel handles and mixtape moves, Carr would soon find himself on the other end of the law -- a headline the then 18-year old could have done without.

As Carr took care of his game on the floor, he committed a major personal foul away from the game.

In August, 2012, he was arrested on a domestic assault charge with his girlfriend and mother of his daughter. Three months later, Carr was called for traveling. First, he transferred to Arlington Country Day, in Jacksonville, Florida and then transferred back to Maryland with Princeton Day Academy for his final year of high school (there was also a brief stint at St. Patrick High in Elizabeth, New Jersey during his Patterson days).

Throughout it all, the diminutive yet electric guard was busy preparing to attend Seton Hall after verbally committing to the program, but that all changed one night this past March after Carr scored 52 points in a game for Princeton Day and the news about intending to play in Europe went viral.

Ultimately, the decision comes down to the dollars and cents of it all, as Carr received a taste of it from Italy in the Spring of 2011 when he was 17-years old and on a basketball tour. According to reports, the All-Metro Player of the Year was offered a $750,000 contract offer from Italian club Virtus Roma (the same club trendsetter Brandon Jennings played for) while Carr helped the U.S. Elite Select under-19 team capture the Junior International Tournament in Milan.

He turned it down then. But Carr isn't about to say "no" a second time around, particularly if the salary expectations are higher. It won't be much longer and Carr will be back in Italy. Will he find out then?

Multiple outlets reported this week that Carr has been invited to the Adidas Eurocamp in Treviso, Italy, which will be held June 8-10. While there has been no confirmation from the event chairs that Carr will be in attendance, the three-day camp brings the best international talent together with former and current NBA coaches and players.

Back in 2008 as Carr was trying to figure out which high school he would eventually attend, Brandon Jennings headlined his recruiting class as an McDonald's All-American. But instead of hitting campus and the books (Jennings was to attend Arizona but didn't qualify) the lightening quick guard opted for Europe, signing a three-year deal (reportedly $1.65 million) with Virtus Roma.

During his lone year in Italy, Jennings averaged 5.5 points, 2.3 assists and 1.3 rebounds per game (17 minutes per game, 27 games in Italian League), while shooting 48% from the field, 20.7% from 3-point and 65% FT. Those numbers stayed consistent with Jennings playing in 16 Euroleague games -- 7.6 points, 1.6 assists and 1.6 rebounds per game, and shooting 46% (FG), 27% (3-pt) and 77% (FT) in 19 minutes per game.

He parlayed those numbers into an NBA lottery pick in 2009 by the Milwaukee Bucks

Jennings was certainly a trail blazer and experienced a successful jump from high school to Europe and to the NBA, but that hasn't necessarily been the case with everyone. Case in point: Jeremy Tyler.

Tyler -- a 6-foot-10 and 250 pound power forward/center -- skipped his senior year in high school in 2009 to play professionally abroad and five months later signed a $140,000 deal with Maccabi Haifa of the Israeli Super League.

He lasted 10 games.

After averaging 2.1 points per game in 7.6 minutes played, Tyler (who spent this season in the D-League with the Santa Cruz Warriors) left the team and returned back to the States.

While the NBA requires players to be at least 19-years old and be one year removed from high school before entering the league, the fact is many of these young players who have or will be entertaining the same thoughts as Carr, Jennings and Tyler would truly benefit from the structure college basketball provides, both in regards to maturing on the floor and off. Because the truth is, the overseas game is never what some people believe it to be. Adjusting to changes culturally is one thing, but adapting to a new basketball system, national teammates, club rules and non-polished officiating is a completely different story.

This much is true: guys either grow up very fast that first season playing abroad (Jennings) or they bounce (Tyler).

It's that cut and dry.

That's one reality about Europe Aquille Carr should be aware of.

Will Navarro, Slaughter, Khryapa Or Papanikolaou Leave With Euroleague Title In London?

2013-04-28T18:00:06Z

And then there were four.

On Friday night, defending Turkish Airlines Eurloeague champs Olympiacos Piraeus rallied from down 12 points in the third quarter to beat Anadolu Efes in a thrilling Game 5 of the quarterfinal series, 82-72, thanks to Vassilis Spanoulis going for 19 points and 5 assists. With the win, Olympiacos now joins Real Madrid Baloncesto, CSKA Moscow and FC Barcelona Regal at the Euroleague Final Four in London beginning with the semifinals on Friday, May 10.

That's the stage where big games will be played and big shots and plays will be made. But who will take and make them or leave their mark in London?

By going inside the numbers, here's a quick look at four players to watch at the Euroleague Final Four.

Kostas Papanikolaou, Olympiacos

Last year at the Final Four, Georgios Printezis hit a game-winning floater over Andrei Kirilenko with 0.7 seconds left (and after trailing by 19 points in the third quarter) to give Olympiacos an incredible 62-61 comeback win over CSKA Moscow. But lost in that memory is the fact that Papanikolaou (whose rights are owned by the Portland Trail Blazers) led Olympiacos in scoring by finishing with 18 points. So what will the 22-year old small forward do for an encore?

A smooth lefty, Papanikolaou is not only a deep three threat (he led ranked 2nd in the Euroleague at 59.4% in 3-pt% during the season), but has been a reliable scoring option and defender both in the Top 16 and playoffs against Efes. In the Top 16, Papanikolaou averaged 12.9 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, while ranking 4th in 3-pt% (52.4%) and 10th in blocks (13 - total).

While Vassilis Spanoulis, Kyle Hines rank first and second on the team in scoring during Euroleague play, Papanikolaou (who ranked third at 12.2 ppg.) matches their toughness and couples it with a high basketball IQ (0.9 turnovers per game) and knack for playing big in big game situations. This time around in London will be no different.

Marcus Slaughter, Real Madrid

If you can avoid being distracted by the in-game antics of Rudy Fernandez (see: flopping, antagonizing the opposition, drawing the ire of the fans) and the all-types-of-awesomeness beard of Sergio Rodriguez, it's important to understand Real Madrid's bench could be the difference maker.

Along with Fernandez and Rodriguez, Sergio Lull, Nikola Mirotic and Jaycee Carroll round out a starting give that can more than hold their own. However, the second unit must be ready to step-up and probably no one more than Marcus Slaughter.

The 6-foot-9, 236 pound power forward/center went from averaging 11.8 points and 6.9 rebounds (and shooting 56.4%) in 10 Euroleague games with Brose Baskets Bamberg in Germany, to securing a hefty deal in Spain this season and dropping his production to 4.8 points and 3.6 rebounds per game (27 games). And while his shooting percentage increased to 63.3% per game, his playing time was down from 25.5 minutes per game to 18.4 minutes per game. Needless to say, Slaughter has battled making the adjustment to his new role, but what better way to break out than at the Final Four.

Without a doubt, he can be a game changer on the defensive end.

Back in late November against Fenerbahce Ulker, Slaughter went for 12 point and 7 rebounds in 25 minutes in the 77-61 win in what was his best outing in the Euroleague to date. Can the big man reclaim that form for Read Madrid? If they want to advance, they'll need all the extra muscle they can get from Slaughter.

Victor Khryapa, CSKA Moscow

When you play alongside Sonny Weems, Nenad Krstic, Milos Teodosic and Sasha Kaun, it's easy to get lost in the mix but Victor Khryapa is proving himself worthy of praise this season.

Just ask Caja Laboral Vitoria. In Game 4 of the playoffs, they all witnessed Khryapa capture MVP honors after dropping a double-double (19 points and 12 rebounds) in 25 minutes to help clinch the series and advance to London. But it's not like the versatile forward hasn't been beasting throughout the playoffs.

Keep this mind: Khryapa averaged 10 points and 7.5 per game over 24 Eurloeague games and during the playoffs against Caja Laboral, he boosted his scoring to 18. 5 points per game, while grabbing 8.3 rebounds per game in the four game series. Those numbers also helped Khryapa rank in the Top 5 in five statistical categories including defensive rebounds (ranked 2nd, 29 total), steals (ranked 3rd, 7 total), total rebounds (ranked 3rd, 33 total), index rating (ranked 3rd, 74) and assists (ranked 5th, 17 total).

Don't be surprised to see Victor Vladimirovich Khryapa have an impact on both ends of the floor at the Final Four.

Juan Carlos Navarro, FC Barcelona Regal

When it comes to the Euroleague, they don't come any more decorated than "La Bomba".

After spending one season in the NBA with the Memphis Grizzlies where Juan Carlos Navarro was named to the All-Rookie second team in 2007-08, he returned to Regal and wasted no time capturing Euroleague honors and staying consistent with such honors moving forward: Euroleague MVP in 2009, Euroleague Final Four MVP in 2010 and a member of the Euroleague All-Decade Team in 2010 -- just to name a few.

So, where does the legend go from here? Up appears the only option based on what Navarro accomplished in the playoffs against Panathinaikos Athens. In the five game series, he averaged 13.6 points and essentially shot lights out from both the field and beyond the arc by ranking 1st in both 3-pt. made (16) and field goals made (28). However, there is one other stat that stands out: 1st in points scored (83).

Watch out for the jumper.

Be aware of the no-look pass.

And good luck defending against that floater in the lane.

The scary part is Juan Carlos Navarro is just getting warmed up.

The German Point Guard Looking Beyond Nike Hoop Summit All The Way To NBA

2013-04-17T13:00:16Z

When the 2013 Nike Hoop Summit tips off on Saturday, April 20 at the Rose Garden in Portland, Ore., the 16th annual event will feature some of America's premiere senior high-school players versus a World Select Team comprised of international players age 19-years-old or younger.

And while all eyes will be on Canada's own Andrew Wiggins after the small forward lead the World Team with 20 points in the 84-75 win over Team USA, there is a point guard from Braunschweig, Germany who could easily steal Wiggins' thunder this year

Dennis Schroeder is simply that good.

At 19-years old, Schroeder was recently named the "Best German Youth Players Under 24" by a panel consisting of Germany's BEKO BBL coaches, German national team coaches and BBL executives, in addition to being selected as the BBL's Most Improved Player award.

The honor is much deserved.

After appearing in 27 games at 8 minutes per game last season for the New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig, Schroeder's averages jumped from 2.5 points and 0.7 assists per game in 2011-12, to a team leading 11.9 points and 3.3 assists per game, to go along with 43.6% shooting from the field and 40.2% from 3-point. Such production also earned Schroeder a trip to the 2013 BEKO BBL All-Star Game where he was the youngest player in the history of the event.

It's no wonder why top BBL teams such as Bayern Munich have shown interest in Schroeder to join their organization for next season and a number of NBA scouts have flocked to Germany this season to take a closer personal look at the lightening quick point guard. What all parties have witnessed with Schroeder (who is listed at 6-foot-2 but is actually closer to 5-foot-11) is not only the future of a German national basketball pride both on an international level, but knowing his skill set likely the next in line to make an eventual transition to the NBA.

From a scouting standpoint, the tools are there even if unpolished at times (his 2.3 turnovers per game are the red flag at this stage of his development). Schroeder's quickness in the open floor has already been noted, and his overall athletic ability is highlighted on drives to the hoop and handling the ball even in pressure situations. He's also worked diligently in getting his jump shot off after penetrating and knocking down open looks from beyond the arc.

Fearless; Schroeder may be small in stature but he is big on confidence in taking the ball into the paint and attacking. He also possesses a finesse game and is mastering avoiding falls with a long-step to the rim for layups. Yet what makes Schroeder such a find is the knack for knowing when to switch speeds and utilizing his explosiveness. Yes, Schroeder's decision making needs to get better and should be a focus going forward. Because at 19-years old, you can imagine it can be difficult trying to get a ultra-talented kid to tone down the need for highlight reel passes and drives. At times, passes can be forced. Others, teammates may not be able to handle the bullet pass. But the more experience Schroeder gains, the more he will learn how to control and master that part of his game. It will take time.

On the defensive end, there are both positives and negatives. The bad: upper body strength just isn't there yet. Bigger opponents can be hard to handle, particularly off of the ball. The good: he will not let up with his on the ball defense. Schroeder's quickness and wingspan at times make it easier to overlook the weaker parts of his defensive game.

But like with every player, basketball is only one side of the story. And nothing is further from the truth with Schroeder.

The son of a German father and a mother from Gambia in West Africa, Schroeder grew up in Braunschweig and was spotted at 11-years old playing pick up ball and skateboarding with some friends by current Phantoms assistant coach Liviu Calin. Calin -- who was a youth coach at the time -- was enamored with the kids' quickness and athleticism. For Schroeder, the joy of basketball would soon help mask the pain caused by a passing. Sadly enough his father passed away three years ago from heart failure and Dennis has had to mature quickly. Whether helping cut hair at his mother's hair solon or taking care of his four siblings, Schroeder should be applauded for always delivering a timely assist for his family.

So when questions arise about why Schroeder keeps making it the NBA as his dream, the reasons are two fold: for his dad and for his family.

Schroeder's contract in Braunschweig runs through the 2014 season and he would most certainly benefit from playing on an upper echelon BBL team (Braunschweig is 12-19 and facing relegation to the Pro-A) or even a team competing in EuroCup, EuroChallange and/or Euroleague. From there, the goal of reaching the NBA is ever before him.

But first thing is first: the Nike Hoop Summit.

Dennis Schroeder may be only the sixth German to be invited to play at the annual event in Portland, but he's certainly one of the more compelling basketball stories and promising players coming out of Deutschland.